Boat propelling device



Sept. 21, 1954 DAN|EL$ 2,689,542

BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE Filed June 23, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a a2 j; J /7 all /0 Ii 34 I3 /6 /4 l IN VEN TOR. Gonna/v E DAN/a:

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BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE Filed June 23, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. & GOPDON E. DANIELS Patented Sept. 21, 1954 OFFICE BOAT PROPELLING DEVICE Gordon E. Daniels, Nashville, Tenn.

Application June 23, 1952, Serial No. 295,004

4 Claims.

This invention relates to manually operable propelling devices for small boats, and has particular reference to devices of this nature which may be readily mounted on, and deinounted from, small boats.

Although manually operable boat propelling devices have heretofore been proposed, those of which I am aware embody bearings for rotatably supporting propelling elements, i. e.,. cars or paddles, such bearings being more or less permanently attached to the boat, thereby rendering it diflicult to mount and demount the propelling device as a whole. Further, such bearings, due to the inconvenience of lubricating the same, are subject to wear and noise. Also, the friction developed tends to materially add to the load imposed on the operator in actuating the device.

It therefore becomes a principal object of the present invention to rovide a manually operable propelling device which maybe readily mounted on or demounted from an existing small boat.

Another; object is to reduce to a minimum the frictional load developed by a boat propelling device of thischaracter. l

Another ,object is to eliminate bearings for pivotally supporting a paddling device for small boats; i A further object is to provide a manually 'op- 'erablelpaddling device for small boats wherein the paddles are retracted. out ofthe water when manual force is removed. 1

A still further object isto provide a steerable,

foot-operated, boat propelling device which is simpleand economical to manufacture.

The manner in which theabove and other objects ofthe invention are accomplished will be readily understood on reference to the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a small boat having mounted thereon a propelling device embodying the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 but illustrating one of the paddles projected downwardly to better disclose the details thereof.

Referring to the drawings, the propelling device, generally indicated at [0, is mounted for pivotal movement on the sides of a small boat H of, conventional construction. In order to eliminate bearings and their inherent friction tendencies and yet provide for a pivotal rocking propelling stroke.

2 movement of the device, the latter is mounted to roll on the gunwales l2 of the boat.

The device comprises a pair of hollow shafts l3 and I4, bent at 90 to their outer ends to form depending arms I 5. In order to maintain the shafts in coaxial alignment at all times, a third shaft I6 is extended a substantial distance at either end thereof into both hollow shafts and is rotatable therein. This arrangement maintains the shafts l3 and I4 in alignment at all times but permits relative rocking movement therebetween.

A collar I! of fibre or similar material is attached to each of the shafts I3 and I4 and forms a sleeve which is intended to support the respective shaft in rolling contact with the corresponding gunwales l2, or other similar longitudinally extending support member (not shown) attached to the side of the boat.

A paddle 20 is attached to each depending arm 15 in such a manner as to permit feathering of the paddle during a return stroke of the device, while causing the paddle to exert a propelling force against the water during the forward or For this purpose, the paddle is provided with eye members 2! and 22 in which is rotatably mounted a short rod 23 suitably secured midway between its ends to the outer end of the arm [5. Two light torsion springs 24 and 25 are mounted on the rod 23 on either side of the arm [5. The springs extend between the arm and the paddle to normally urge the latter counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, to cause a bumper 25 of rubber or the like thereon to abut the arm [5.

For the purpose of independently actuating the paddle 20, a pedal 21 is connected to each ofthe shafts I3 and I4, enabling operation thereof by the operators feet. Each pedal is suspended from a bracket arm 28 integral with the respective hollow shaft by a pair of chains 29, the upper ends of which are attached to the outer ends of the arms 28 by bolt 30.

Means are provided to insure rolling action of the shafts l3 and [4 during actuation thereof and to normally hold the paddle 20 in the position shown by the full lines in Fig, 2 above the water so as not to impede in any way the forward movement of the boat when coasting or otherwise moving under the influence of forces other than those developed by the paddles. For this purpose, two cables 32 and 33 are provided for each of the shafts l3 and I 4. Cable 32 is attached to the upper surface of the sleeve H by a bolt 34 at one end and extends aft to a relatively heavy tension spring 35 at the other end. As shown in Fig. 1, the opposite end of the spring is removably attached by a suitable clip 36 to a convenient part of the boat, such as a seat 31.

The second cable 33 is attached at its rear end to the undersurface of each sleeve I9 by a bolt 38 and at its forward end to a suitable anchor or bolt 39, preferably attached to the outside of the boat.

It will be noted in Fig. 2 that the cables 32 and 33 act to retain the respective shafts I3 and I4 in rolling contact with the gunwales I2 during actuation thereof by the operators feet during a forward stroke, or by the springs 35 during the return stroke. Also, each spring 35 is effective to normally maintain. the respective paddle in the retracted position shown in Fig. 2 wherein it is located above the water. During this return stroke of the paddle under the action of the spring 35, the paddle will rock about rod 23 against the action of springs 24 and 25 in a feathering motion until it clears the water.

In order to steer the boat in different directions, one or the other of the paddles may be actuated independently of the other, in which case the aligned shafts I3, I4 and I5 may temporarily roll to a position at an angle to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the boat. However, upon releasing both pedals to the action of springs 35, the shafts will again take up their proper positions as shown in Fig. 1.

The cables 33, in view of their location directly adjacent the side of the boat, as seen in Figs. 1 and 3, yieldably maintain the shafts I3, I 3 and I5 in proper lateral location relative to the boat.

From the above it will be noted that the device can be readily attached to an existing small boat regardless of the width thereof, since the shafts I3 and I4 may be spread apart different amounts to cause the sleeves I? to properly fit on the boat gunwales. I2 or other supporting members, the shaft I6 permitting an appreciable change in the spacing of the shafts.

Having thus described the invention, what I desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is: e

1. A propelling device for a boat comprising the combination of a pair of shafts, bearing means interconecting said shafts for maintaining said shafts in coaxial alignment and for permitting relative rotation of said shafts, means for maintaining said shafts in rolling engagement with the upper surfaces of'respective ones of the sides of said boat, a depending arm integral with the outer end of each of said shafts, a paddle carried by each of said arms, and means for independently and manually rocking said shafts whereby to cause said paddle to propel said boat.

2. A propelling device for a boat comprising the combination of a shaft assembly adapted to roll on spaced longitudinally extending members on said boat, depending arms integral with said shaft assembly adjacent opposite ends thereof, paddles carried by said arms, a cable attachable to said boat forward of said shaft assembly and wrapped in one direction about said assembly, a second cable attachable to said boat aft of said shaft assembly and wrapped in the opposite direction about said shaft assembly whereby to cause said shaft assembly to roll along said longitudinal members upon rocking of said shaft assembly, and means for manually rocking said shaft assembly whereby to cause said paddle to propel said boat.

3. A propelling device according to claim 2 comprising spring means for retracting said shaft assembly from rocked position,

4. A propelling device for a boat comprising the combination of a pair of shafts adapted to be supported by longitudinally extending members on said boat, bearing means interconnecting said shafts for maintaining said shafts in coaxial alignment and for permitting relative rotation of said shafts, a pair of cables attachable to said boat forward of said shafts, and Wrapped in one direction about respective ones of said shafts, a pair of other cables attachable to said boat aft of said shafts and wrapped. in the opposite direction about respective ones of said shafts whereby to cause said shafts" to roll along said longitudinal members upon rocking of said shaft assembly, a depending arm integral with the outer end of each of said shafts, a paddle carried by each of said arms, and means for independently and manually rocking said shafts whereby to cause said paddle to propel said boat.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date- 143,270 Beekman Sept. 36, 1873 655,742 Sheen Aug. 14, 1906 839,595 Johnson Dec; 25,1906

1,914,901 Thompson Jan. 20, 1.933

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country V Date 48,845 France July 12, 1938 

